Automatic head splitter

ABSTRACT

An automatic head splitter for splitting the head of an animal without damaging the brain wherein the operator is fully protected from the knife during the splitting operation. The splitter includes a frame, a movable bed having head holding and positioning elements mounted thereon, a housing mounted on the frame and having a pair of exposed gates disposed at the entrance and exit to the housing, a hydraulic motor for indexing the bed through the housing, a hydraulically operated knife disposed between the gates and operatively connected to the gates wherein the gates are closed before the knife will operate to split the head.

United States Patent Neuhauer June 24, 1975 l l AUTOMATIC HEAD SPLITTER OTHER PUBLICATIONS [76] inventor; David J. Neubauer, 8086 Cedar St., Meat f Qctober 1960, p 45 Omaha, Nebr. 68124 [22] Filed: July 5, 1973 Primary Examiner-Paul E. Shapiro Attorney, Agent, or FirmHenderson & Strorn 121] Appl. No: 376,688

[57} ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl 17/1 A; 17/23; 82/4; An automatic head splitter for splitting the head of an 83/3971, 83/400 animal without damaging the brain wherein the opera- (51] int. Cl A22b 5/20 tor is fully protected from the knife during the split- [58] Field of Search 17/23, 1 A; 83/4, 397-400, ting operation.

83/1310 1 The splitter includes a frame, a movable bed having head holding and positioning elements mounted [56] Reierences cued thereon, a housing mounted on the frame and having UNITED STATES PATENTS a pair of exposed gates disposed at the entrance and 3 99 12 1953 Biddinger c I I l 17 23 X exit to the housing, a hydraulic motor for indexing the 3284.846 1 1/1966 Reeves 1, 83/399 X bed through the housing, a hydraulically operated 3,662,430 5/1972 Lloyd er a1 t 17/23 X knife disposed between the gates and operatively 3,77l,l96 Doerfer Ci 8]. X onnected [0 the gates wherein the gates are clnsed FOREGN PATENTS OR APPUCATIONS before the knife will operate to split the head. 694,746 7/1953 United Kingdom 7. 17/23 8 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures ""11",". I ""11 S 84 -|5 v l i I 94 g |l I l4 \1 7 88 x 3 4 l1 l3 l9 2 n n n n n n r AUTOMATIC HEAD SPLITTER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The meat packing industry. in the slaughtering of hogs and the processing of all of the edible parts of the carcass are substantially altering their operating procedures to provide maximum safe working conditions for their employees and to obtain the maximum amount of edible products from the animals. One extremely dangerous procedure is the removal of the brain from the head of a hog. This procedure involves the splitting of the head. and in particular the splitting of the skull without substantially damaging or cutting the brain.

The present method of splitting the head is by grasping the head and placing it on a stationary bed under a reciprocating knife. The knife has a configuration wherein the snout and the neck are substantially split while only the skull and not the brain is split. A slight error on the part of the operator could easily cause a mispositioning of the head on the bed wherein the brain is damaged. or even worse the operator could become entangled with the knife and be maimed or severly injured.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to the processing of the edible portions of a slaughtered animal and in particular to an automatic head splitter for a hog to facilitate the removal of the brain. The splitter includes a movable bed mounted in a frame. a housing mounted on the frame and having an entrance and an exit gate. wherein the bed is indexed through the gates and into and out of the housing by a hydraulic motor or the like. and a hydraulically operated knife or the like which is operable only when the gates are closed.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a novel automatic head splitter having a knife which is operable only at predetermined times.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an automatic head splitter wherein generally all of the moving parts and particularly the knife are enclosed thus substantially negating the possibility that the operator can be injured or maimed.

A further object of the invention is to provide an automatic head splitter having holding and positioning elements for the head thus substantially providing a splitter wherein the head is properly split without damaging the brain.

Yet another object of this invention is the provision of an automatic head splitter which is extremely effective in operation. rugged in construction, simple and economical in manufacture. and extremely safe for the operator to operate.

These objects and other features and advantages become more readily apparent upon reference to the following description when taken in conjunction with the appended drawings.

In the drawings. as hereinafter described. a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated. however various modifications can be made thereto without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view with part of the cover removed of the automatic head splitter of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an end clevational view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view thereof".

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the lines 44 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view of the housing; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view taken along the lines 6-6 in FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings. the automatic head splitter of this invention is depicted generally at I0 in FIG. 1. The automatic head splitter is comprised of live basic elements. a frame 11. a movable bed 12, positioning elements 13, a movable knife 14. and safety gates 15.

The frame 11 (FIGS. 1 and 2) has the general appearance of a narrow rectangular table structure 17 having a center compartment 16 therein and a cubical housing 18 affixed thereto and extending vertically upward therefrom and disposed at the approximate midpoint thereof. The housing 18 includes four spaced apart. parallel legs 19, 21. 22 and 23 extending vertically upward from the upper surface 24 of the table structure 17, and affixed thereto at the periphery thereof. The upper surface 24 ofthe table structure 17 is disposed at a convenient height (approximately waist height) to be used as a work place for a human operator. The upper surface 24 of the table structure 17 has three horizontal. parallel spaced apart longitudinal runners 26, 27. and 28 lying in the plane of the upper surface 24 and affixed thereto at their ends. The runners 26. 27. and 28 serve the function of guiding and sup porting the movable bed 12 (FIG. 4).

The movable bed 12 (FIGS. I and 2) disposed inside the center compartment 16 includes a plurality of hingedly connected plates 31. The general shape of the movable bed 12 is that of an endless conveyor belt. disposed on two pairs of spaced apart wheels 32, 33. and 34, 36. One pair of wheels 32 and 33 are coaxial and rotatably disposed. beneath the entrance end 37 of the table structure 17, perpendicular to the upper surface 24 with their axis of rotation directed horizontally and transversely across the table structure 17. The other pair of wheels 34 and 36 are similarly disposed beneath the exit end 38 of the table structure 17.

The plates (FIGS. 1 and 4) are of a generally rectangular planar shape. having a link member 39 disposed perpendicular thereof. The link member 39 is of a generally rectangular planar configuration having the ends 41 thereof adapted to hingedly receive the ends 41 of the adjacent plates 31, thereby forming a flexible band 42 having a plurality of plates 31. The flexible band 42 is joined by one set of ends 41 to form a continuous loop and is disposed around coplanar wheels 34 and 32. A second flexible band 43 is identical to the flexible band 42 and is coplanar thereto around coplanar wheels 36 and 33. As is readily apparent. the flexible bands 42 and 43 form two coplanar endless conveyors which form the movable bed 12.

The movable bed 12 (FIG. 1) is indexed into successive operating positions by the action of an indexing ram or motor (hereinafter referred to as ram) 46, disposed longitudinally in the center compartment 16 between wheels 32. 33. 34 and 36 and affixed to the frame 11. The indexing ram 46 is a standard hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder having a bar 47 affixed to the free end of the protruding piston rod 48, and extending normally thereto. The bar 47 is adapted to engage the mmable bed 12 by the coaction of a pawl 49 that is hingedly affixed to the bar -17 and depends therefrom. Tabs 51 and 52 are affixed to the link members 39 (FIG. 4) and extend upward therefrom wherein they are adapted to engage pawl 49. hi operation. the frame 11. movable bed 12. and indexing ram 46 coact to pro vide an intermittent indexing movement ofthe movable bed 12. When indexing ram 46 is energi/cd from a fluid power source (not shown) the piston rod 48 c\tcnd-. the pawl 49 engages tabs 51 and 52 thereby causing the movable bed 12 to mow. The mmemcnt of the mo able bed 12 is assisted and guided by wheels. 32. 33. 3-1 and 36 and by sliding engagement with the runners 26. 27 and 28. Once the piston rod 48 has fully extended. it is then retracted by utilizing the fluid power source. during which retraction. pawl-19 will pass over and not engage the tabs 51 and 52.

The purpose of intermittently advancing the movable bed 12 is to successively advance an animal head [not shown) from a position where the manual operation of placing an animal head on the movable bed occurs. to a position within the housing structure 18 where the animal head is split open by the movable knife 14. To effectuate alignment of the animal head on the movable bed 12. and to secure its advancement into the housing structure 18, some ofthe plates 31 have affixed thereto the positioning elements 13.

The positioning elements 13 (FIGS. 3 and 4) extend from the side of the plates 31 opposite the side thereof from which extends the link member 39 and is adapted to engage the underside of the animals head for supporting and aligning it upon the movable bed. Due to the fact that the animal head is considerably larger than a plate 31. portions of the positioning elements 13 are disposed on several of the plates 31. In FIG. 3. a total of twelve portions of the positioning elements 13 are depicted; snout posts 62 and 63 to secure the snout or nose of the animal. grippers 64 and 65 to secure the jowls of the animal. and rear guides 66 and 67 to secure the rear of the animal head. The exact configuration of the positioning elements 13 will vary according to the species of the animal. however the elements will have a generally troughlike configuration to effectuate the support ofthe animal head in an upright position in the middle of the movable bed 12 and will be disposed longitudinally thereto. For the purposes of illustration. FIG. 3 depicts a positioning element that is effective for supporting the head of a hog.

The positioning element 13 (FIGS. 2 and 3). as depicted. has two cylindrical vertical snout posts 62 and 63 spaced apart from the centerline of the movable bed 12 and a plurality of pairs of spaced apart. generally right triangular planar. grippers 64 and 65 disposed such that the hypotenuses of the opposite grippers of each pair form a V-shape thereby defining a trough longitudinal to the movable bed 12. Rear guides 66 and 67 consist of two spaced apart L-shaped members having generally rectangular cross sections.

The housing 18(F1GS. 2. 3 and 6) is generally cubical in shape. having four legs 19. 21. 22, and 23. extending vertically upward from the table structure 17. The uppermost ends of the legs 19. 21, 22. and 23 are interconnected by peripherial braces 68. 69. 71. and 72. Disposed vertically upward from the plane of the peripherial braces is a knife ram 73 consisting ofa standard hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder. The piston rod 74 of the knife ram 73 extends vertically downward.

uch that the a'vis of Int piston rod 74 intersects the tians\erse midpoint of the niming bed 12. The knife ram 73 is affixed to the pcriphcrial braces by four hori /ontal braces 76. 77. 78. and 79 extending perpendicular to the peripherial braces at the midpoints thereof. The knife 14 is affixed to the lower end of the piston rod 74 of the knife ram 73 and depends vertically therefrom. The knife 14 is ofa substantially rectangular planar configuration and is aligned such that its plane is perpendicular to the monng bed 12 and parallel to the centerline thereof. Along the lowermost edge of knife 14 is a knife edge 81 il lti. l having a semicircular notch 82 formed therein. The semicircular notch 82 is located and dimensioned so as to conform to the skull of the animal when it has been indexed into place on the positioning elements 13. On both sides of the notch 82 are wedges 83 affixed to and projecting from the sides ofthe knife 14. Secured to and projecting upwardly front the knife 14 are two parallelly disposed guide rods 84 and 86 which are slidably received within the horizontal braces 78 and 77 respectively. Upon en ergizing the knife ram 73 by a power source. the knife 14 is moved from a position distal to the movable bed 12 to a position proximate to the movable bed 12, thereby splitting the animals head.

The safety gates 15 (FIGS. and 6) include an en trance gate 87 and an exit gate 88. Formed in each leg 19. 21, 22. and 23 is a vertical groove 89. wherein the grooves are aligned to form slideways for the safety gates 15. Each gate includes a horizontal lifting tab 91 secured to the upper end thereof. The lifting tabs 91 are adapted to releasably engage gate levers 92. The gate levers 92 are bar shaped and are hingedly connected to the knife 14 such as to allow partial rotation thereofin the plane of the knife 14. Vertically disposed and affixed to the brace 76 is a gate cylinder 93 consisting of a standard hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder. Mounted on the free end of the piston rod 94 is a cross bar 97 secured normally thereto. The cross bar has 21 depending L-shapcd member 98 secured to each end thereof wherein the free ends ofthe L-shaped member are eoactable with the innermost ends of the gate lever 92.

In operation. the safety gates 15 must be fully lowercd proximate to the moving bed 12 before the knife 14 is permitted to descend. A position detector 96 disposed proximate the lowest position of safety gate 15 must detect the safety gate 15 as being in its lowermost position before the position detector will energize. Until the position detector has energized, an interlock valve (not shown) remains shut prohibiting fluid from entering the knife ram 73. The safety gates 15 are dropped into a lowermost position by energizing the gate cylinder which causes a lowering of the gate piston rod 94. The lowering of gate piston rod 94 causes the inner ends of the gate levers 92 to be rotated downwardly. As the outer ends of the gate levers rotate up' wardly the gates 15 are moved slightly upwardly until the tabs 91 are released from the gate levers 92. The gate levers then fall by the action of gravity. and guided in the grooves 89. into their lowermost position. The position detector 96 then energizes thereby unlocking the interlock (not shown) and permitting the knife 14 to descend. As the knife descends. the gate levers 92 will pass over and not engage the gate tabs 91. However. when the knife ascends. the gate levers 92 will engage the gate tabs 91 and raise the gates 15. The movable bed 12 is then indexed thereby removing a split head from the housing 18 and indexing a new head under the knife 14. As a further safety precaution. the entire housing is enclosed in a cover 97 or the like, leaving only the gates intermittently open.

For the purpose ofclarity, the figures do not show the fluid power system nor do they show the safety interlock system, since these systems are assembled from standard components. The fluid power system consists of a source of pressurized fluid such as a pump or compressor having its output divided to three solenoid operated four way valves. The four way valves are to control the movement of the knife ram 73, the gate cylinder 93 and the indexing cylinder 46. The valves are plumbed such that in their deenergized status, all of the three cylinders 73, 93, and 46 are in their retracted position. When the valve connected to the indexing cylinder 46 is energized (either manually or by an automatic sequencing device) the indexing cylinder extends until the position detector 50 is contacted by cylinder rod 47. The contact with position detector 50 causes the solenoid valve to become deenergized thereby retracting the indexing cylinder. The contact with the position detector 50 also closes an electrical circuit to the gate cylinder valve causing the gate cylinder 93 to extend thus allowing the gates 15 to fall. When the gates 15 have fully descended they contact the position detectors 96. The position detectors 96 close an electrical circuit to the knife ram valve causing the knife ram to extend. Once the knife ram has fully extended the knife ram valve is deenergized (either manually or by an automatic sequencing device). As the knife ram 73 retracts, the gates 15 are drawn upward by the gate levers 91 causing the position detectors 96 to open. When the position detectors 96 open. the gate cylinder valve is deenergized and the gate cylinder 93 is retracted. Once all of the cylinders 93, 73, and 46 have fully retracted the system can be recycled through the steps as described above.

Particular attention should be directed toward the position detectors 96 which complete an electrical circuit to the knife ram only when the gates are completely closed. This provision increases the safety of the animal head splitter since physical injury to the operator by the knife 14 is substantially impossible.

As previously indicated, a hydraulic rotary motor (not shown) may be readily substituted for ram 46. If so desired, the hydraulic motor shaft would be secured to the wheels 34 and 36 or 32 and 33 and the motor housing would be secured in the center compartment 16 to the frame.

I claim:

1. An automatic head splitter for splitting the head of an animal, the splitter comprising:

a frame having a compartment formed therein and a horizontal top surface;

a movable bed operably disposed in said compartment, with said bed forming at least a portion of said horizontal top surface;

a housing mounted on top of said frame and having an opening formed therein which is disposed transversely of said bed and which is defined on the bottom thereof by said bed;

power means operably connected to said bed for moving said bed relative to said housing;

a vertically disposed knife movably mounted in said housing;

second power means operably connected to said knife for moving said knife from a first position distal of said bed to a second position proximate said bed and from said proximate position to said distal position;

a gate movably mounted to said housing and having a tab secured thereto said gate being movable from an open position to a closed position covering said opening wherein said second power means is operable to move said knife from said distal position to said proximate position only when said gate is in said closed position;

latch means secured to said knife, said latch means coactable with said tab for moving said gate to said open position when said knife moves from said proximate position to said distal position; and third power means mounted in said housing and operable to disengage said latch means from said tab thus permitting said gate to move from said open position to said closed position by gravity.

2. An automatic head splitter as defined in claim 1 including a gate position detector disposed proximate said opening to detect the position of said gate, said detector interconnected to said first power means and operable to prevent movement of said knife from said distal position to said proximate position unless said gate is in said closed position.

3. An automatic head splitter as defined in claim 2 wherein said latch means is a lever pivotally connected to said knife.

4. An automatic head splitter as defined in claim 3 including at least one positioning element secured to said bed for positioning and holding the animal head.

5. An automatic head splitter as defined in claim 4 including an exit opening formed in said housing opposite said opening, an exit gate movably mounted to said housing and being movable from an open position to a closed position, said exit gate having a second tab secured thereto, a second latch means secured to said knife, and a second gate position detector disposed proximate said exit opening to detect the position of said exit gate, said second detector interconnected to said first power means and operable to prevent movement of said knife from said distal position to said proximate position unless said exit gate is in said closed position; said second latch means is coactable with said second tab for moving said second gate from said open position when said knife moves from said proximate position to said distal position; and said third power means is operable to disengage said second latch means from said second tab, thus permitting said exit gate to move from said open position to said closed position by gravity.

6. An automatic head splitter as defined in claim 5 wherein said positioning element includes a pair of spaced apart snout posts, a plurality of spaced apart head supports and a pair of spaced apart rear guides; said snout posts, said head supports and said rear guides are secured to said movable bed and extend therefrom toward said knife, wherein said snout posts, said head supports and said rear guides are coactable with the animal head to releasably secure the animal head to said movable bed.

7. An automatic head splitter as defined in claim 6 wherein said movable bed includes a pair of coplanar endless conveyors with each conveyor formed from a plurality of hingedly connected plates, two pairs of spaced apart wheels with each said pair of wheels mounted on a shaft journaled to said frame, wherein said conveyors are disposed on said wheels, and a plurality of tabs secured to said conveyor at predetermined positions; and said first power means includes a fluid cylinder secured to said frame. a piston slidably mounted in said cylinder and having a free end extending axially therefrom. said cylinder operable to stroke said piston wherein said piston free end is moved away from and toward said cylinder, a pawl pivotally connected to said piston free end and operable to coact with said conveyor tabs when said piston free end is moved away from said cylinder thus indexing said conveyors around said shafts to move said positioning element into and out of said housing.

8. An automatic head splitter as defined in claim 6 wherein said movable bed includes a pair of coplanar endless conveyors with each conveyor formed from a plurality of hingedly connected plates, two pairs of spaced apart wheels with each said pair of wheels mounted on a shaft journalled to said frame, wherein said conveyors are disposed on said wheels, and a plurality of tabs secured to said conveyor at predetermined positions; and said first power means includes a fluidly operated motor secured to said frame, and being operable to convert fluid power into rotary mechanical power, a shaft having a motor end and a wheel end, said motor end being rotatably secured to said motor and operable to transmit said rotary mechanical power to said wheel end, said wheel end being operably secured to at least one of said wheels and operable to rotate said wheels relative to said frame, a sensing element operable to detect the angular displacement of said wheel, and a valve operable to control the fluid power supplied to said motor, wherein the coaction of said sensing element with said valve and said motor produces an intermittent rotary motion of said wheels. 

1. An automatic head splitter for splitting the head of an animal, the splitter comprising: a frame having a compartment formed therein and a horizontal top surface; a movable bed operably disposed in said compartment, with said bed forming at least a portion of said horizontal top surface; a housing mounted on top of said frame and having an opening formed therein which is disposed transversely of said bed and which is defined on the bottom thereof by said bed; power means operably connected to said bed for moving said bed relative to said housing; a vertically disposed knife movably mounted in said housing; second power means operably connected to said knife for moving said knife from a first position distal of said bed to a second position proximate said bed and from said proximate position to said distal position; a gate movably mounted to said housing and having a tab secured thereto said gate being movable from an open position to a closed position covering said opening wherein said second power means is operable to move said knife from said distal position to said proximate position only when said gate is in said closed position; latch means secured to said knife, said latch means coactable with said tab for moving said gate to said open position when said knife moves from said proximate position to said distal position; and third power means mounted in said housing and operable to disengage said latch means from said tab thus permitting said gate to move from said open position to said closed position by gravity.
 2. An automatic head splitter as defined in claim 1 including a gate position detector disposed proximate said opening to detect the position of said gate, said detector interconnected to said first power means and operable to prevent movement of said knife from said distal position to said proximate position unless said gate is in said closed position.
 3. An automatic head splitter as defined in claim 2 wherein said latch means is a lever pivotally connected to said knife.
 4. An automatic head splitter as defined in claim 3 including at least one positioning element secured to said bed for positioning and holding the animal head.
 5. An automatic head splitter as defined in claim 4 including an exit opening formed in said housing opposite said opening, an exit gate movably mounted to said housing and being movable from an open position to a closed poSition, said exit gate having a second tab secured thereto, a second latch means secured to said knife, and a second gate position detector disposed proximate said exit opening to detect the position of said exit gate, said second detector interconnected to said first power means and operable to prevent movement of said knife from said distal position to said proximate position unless said exit gate is in said closed position; said second latch means is coactable with said second tab for moving said second gate from said open position when said knife moves from said proximate position to said distal position; and said third power means is operable to disengage said second latch means from said second tab, thus permitting said exit gate to move from said open position to said closed position by gravity.
 6. An automatic head splitter as defined in claim 5 wherein said positioning element includes a pair of spaced apart snout posts, a plurality of spaced apart head supports and a pair of spaced apart rear guides; said snout posts, said head supports and said rear guides are secured to said movable bed and extend therefrom toward said knife, wherein said snout posts, said head supports and said rear guides are coactable with the animal head to releasably secure the animal head to said movable bed.
 7. An automatic head splitter as defined in claim 6 wherein said movable bed includes a pair of coplanar endless conveyors with each conveyor formed from a plurality of hingedly connected plates, two pairs of spaced apart wheels with each said pair of wheels mounted on a shaft journaled to said frame, wherein said conveyors are disposed on said wheels, and a plurality of tabs secured to said conveyor at predetermined positions; and said first power means includes a fluid cylinder secured to said frame, a piston slidably mounted in said cylinder and having a free end extending axially therefrom, said cylinder operable to stroke said piston wherein said piston free end is moved away from and toward said cylinder, a pawl pivotally connected to said piston free end and operable to coact with said conveyor tabs when said piston free end is moved away from said cylinder thus indexing said conveyors around said shafts to move said positioning element into and out of said housing.
 8. An automatic head splitter as defined in claim 6 wherein said movable bed includes a pair of coplanar endless conveyors with each conveyor formed from a plurality of hingedly connected plates, two pairs of spaced apart wheels with each said pair of wheels mounted on a shaft journalled to said frame, wherein said conveyors are disposed on said wheels, and a plurality of tabs secured to said conveyor at predetermined positions; and said first power means includes a fluidly operated motor secured to said frame, and being operable to convert fluid power into rotary mechanical power, a shaft having a motor end and a wheel end, said motor end being rotatably secured to said motor and operable to transmit said rotary mechanical power to said wheel end, said wheel end being operably secured to at least one of said wheels and operable to rotate said wheels relative to said frame, a sensing element operable to detect the angular displacement of said wheel, and a valve operable to control the fluid power supplied to said motor, wherein the coaction of said sensing element with said valve and said motor produces an intermittent rotary motion of said wheels. 